Evaluation of a commercial gene probe for identification of Legionella cultures

Abstract

Confirmation of a culture as Legionella when it is unreactive with available serologic reagents involves tests that are impractical in most clinical laboratories. A nucleic acid probe that hybridizes only to members of the genus Legionella was recently prepared for marketing by Gen-Probe, Inc., San Diego, Calif. We tested 215 Legionella strains, representing 22 species, and 84 non-Legionella strains, representing 17 bacterial genera, with the Gen-Probe kit. All but four Legionella strains (L. bozemanii, <2 % of total) and no heterologous strains gave positive test results. We conclude that the Legionella gene probe is a valuable addition to existing diagnostic tests for Legionella organisms.

Laboratory diagnosis and interpretation of tests for syphilis

“…DNA probes have already found clinical application for the identification of a number of clinically important pathogens (207,216). Experience with other spirochetes indicates the possible applicability of this methodology to the identification of T. pallidum.…”

Diagnostic deoxyribonucleic acid probes for infectious diseases.

“…Probes to Respiratory Pathogens Studies with DNA probes developed to respiratory pathogens have greatly expanded our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenicity of such agents as Epstein-Barr virus (2,3,13,54,122) and CMV (16,20,74,88,125,126,143). Other probes, now commercially available, targeting Legionella (34,35,147) and several Mycobacterium (27,63) species already are having a significant impact on the clinical laboratory. Each of these sets of probes is reviewed, beginning with those probes that are commercially available.…”

Detection and recovery of Legionella in water

“…Use of this technique for Legionella in water is experimental. The main advantages of the genetic probe are its specificity (Wilkinson et al, 1986) and one-day determination. Disadvantages are that there is no distinction between viable and nonviable cells, approximately lo6 cells are required for reactivity, and a radioactivity measuring device ( y counter) is needed.…”